Cloud and Tifa are probably one of the most classic and notable couples throughout Final Fantasy series, along with Rinoa-Squall from Final Fantasy VIII and Yuna-Tidus from Final Fantasy X. However, Cloud and Tifa occupy the first position as FF couple preferred by most fans, although their true romantic relationship has not been clearly confirmed. And I should say, duh.. that I too ship them hard, along with Yuna-Tidus :))
Now I'm going to tell you a little background story of their origins and how it affects their relationship. Major spoiler below, lol
Tifa and Cloud are childhood friends, they were born and grew up together in a small village of Nibelheim, but at that time they were not really close, though Cloud originally liked Tifa and wished to be her close friend. But Tifa had her own companions, and Cloud never made into her group.
Until one day when Tifa was 9 and Cloud was 10, Tifa's mother passed away. Tifa was so sad to the point that she ran away from her home to Mount Nibel in order to meet her mother. She believed that if she cross Mount Nibel, she would see her mother. Cloud worried about her alot so he decided to follow her from behind, but then an accident happened. A bridge collapsed and Tifa's life is in danger. Cloud tried to save her, but he failed and Tifa was badly injured. Tifa's father and townspeople blamed Cloud for the accident and they forbid him from approaching Tifa. Cloud fell into depression and blamed himself for his failure in saving Tifa. .
And then, Cloud learned about Sephiroth, a very strong SOLDIER, a heroic figure. Cloud started to idolize him for his superhuman strength and undeniable charisma. Cloud wanted to be as strong as Sephiroth to impress Tifa and more importantly, to protect her no matter what it costs. This is where it finally leads Cloud to join SOLDIER.
Now I'm going to tell you a little background story of their origins and how it affects their relationship. Major spoiler below, lol
Tifa and Cloud are childhood friends, they were born and grew up together in a small village of Nibelheim, but at that time they were not really close, though Cloud originally liked Tifa and wished to be her close friend. But Tifa had her own companions, and Cloud never made into her group.
Until one day when Tifa was 9 and Cloud was 10, Tifa's mother passed away. Tifa was so sad to the point that she ran away from her home to Mount Nibel in order to meet her mother. She believed that if she cross Mount Nibel, she would see her mother. Cloud worried about her alot so he decided to follow her from behind, but then an accident happened. A bridge collapsed and Tifa's life is in danger. Cloud tried to save her, but he failed and Tifa was badly injured. Tifa's father and townspeople blamed Cloud for the accident and they forbid him from approaching Tifa. Cloud fell into depression and blamed himself for his failure in saving Tifa. .
And then, Cloud learned about Sephiroth, a very strong SOLDIER, a heroic figure. Cloud started to idolize him for his superhuman strength and undeniable charisma. Cloud wanted to be as strong as Sephiroth to impress Tifa and more importantly, to protect her no matter what it costs. This is where it finally leads Cloud to join SOLDIER.
Five years later, at the night Cloud has decided that he will join SOLDIER, Cloud called Tifa to Nibelheim water tower (which is a popular date spot there lol) to tell her about her decision to join SOLDIER. Tifa then asked Cloud to make a promise that he would come to save her whenever she's in trouble. You can watch their cute scene together from FFVII here
And then a few years after Cloud's deoarture to Midgar, Tifa never heard about him anymore. Until one fateful day, a group of Shinra 1st Class SOLDIERs and 2 infantrymen were sent to Nibelheim to investigate a broken Mako reactor in Mount Nibel. Tifa worked as a tour guide to guide the Shinra group to Mount Nibel, she hoped that her meeting with Shinra SOLDIERS would bring her to Cloud, which she hasn't seen in years, However, the SOLDIERs assigned there was Zack Fair and Sephiroth and Tifa asked Zack if he ever knew any SOLDIER which has blond hair, obviously she was referring to Cloud. In fact Cloud was there too, but he was in his infantryman uniform. He never made into SOLDIER. He was so ashamed and tried her best to hide his identity from Tifa and surpress his feelings, he couldn't face Tifa so he avoided her. You can see the scene if you play Crisis Core-Final Fantasy VII-, it was such an emotional moment.
After the fateful Nibelheim incident, Tifa and Cloud joined together in a rebel group called AVALANCHE, and together they beat down Sephiroth for good. After that they lived along with Barret's daughter Marlene and an orphan named Denzel and together they opened new business : Seventh Heaven Bar & Strife Delivery Service. From now on we could tell that they live like a husband and wife with kids but the truth of their relationship is up to our interpretation and imagination :P
Anyway, there’s a lot more on their relationship. A lot. (source : worldofcloti.tumblr.com)
- Cloud wanted to join Soldier so Tifa would notice him, and this is an important memory to him
“Tifa: Talk to me. About anything, some important memory to you… Now that you mention it, why did you want to join SOLDIER in the first place
Cloud: ……I was devastated. ……I wanted to be noticed
Tifa: Someone has to notice you…? ……who?” “Who………?
Cloud: ……You know who! ……You, that’s who.”
- Cloud’s promise to Tifa is something her would never forget
When Cloud left the village dreaming of being a SOLDIER, he swore to Tifa that he would come running to her rescue if she was in trouble. While it was Tifa who strong-armed him into making the promise, it seems that the idea that he must keep this vow was forever in Cloud’s mind. In BC he is obsessive about protecting people, and if he runs out of strength part way though he will mention the “promise.”
- In the Lifestream, Cloud and Tifa learned each others’ feelings both past and present
SOURCE UO Page 27: Deep inside Cloud’s heart, feelings were hidden that no one knew about. Even though there were important memories to himself, many of them were forgotten. In the process of looking for the real Cloud, Tifa learns a lesson about the complexity of the human heart, and the feelings are earnestly transmitted.
- Cloud and Tifa revealed their feelings to one another in a fateful, special night thinking that they are nearing the end.
In FF7, Tifa is the only one who knows Cloud’s childhood, and furthermore, she holds the key to people involved in the story of Nibelheim’s burning down, which is also depicted in CC. She and Cloud came to realize their feelings for each other in the end of the story, and live together in AC and DC. Crisis Core Ultimania Tifa Lockhart Profile
(FFVII Ultimania Omega, pg. 15; Cloud’s profile)
“Declares that the team should dissolve in the final hours before the final battle, and communicates his feelings together with Tifa, who remains behind at the airship with him.”
(FFVII Ultimania Omega, pg. 27; Tifa’s profile)
“When Cloud proposes that the group separates temporarily, she remains behind at the airship and communicates her feelings together with Cloud. “
(FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania, pg. 118; pg. 120 in the Revised Edition; story summary)
“Cloud and Tifa, who remain, reveal their feelings for each other together.”
(FFVII Ultimania Omega, pg. 198; story summary)
“When their companions disperse to the places where people important to them await, Cloud and Tifa are the only two to remain behind. They reveal their mutual feelings in their final hours, and…….”
(FF25th Tifa’s Memorial Scenes)
The Fateful Night the Two Share
An event near the time of the final battle with Sephiroth, where Cloud and Tifa stay at the airship Highwind together. With this possibly being the end — an evening overcome with a flood of feelings becomes something special.
- Cloud and Tifa have been holding favor for one another for many years
“Words aren’t the only thing that tell people what you’re thinking…”
Prairie: The last night before the final battle, to Cloud when he finds himself at a loss for words
Prairie: The last night before the final battle, to Cloud when he finds himself at a loss for words
For many years, Cloud and Tifa have been holding favor for one another. At last facing the impending final battle with Sephiroth, they confirm together their feelings of desire towards one another
FF 25th AU
- Cloud thinks that he can succeed because he has Tifa and it’s different between them now
As Tifa looked away from the sky towards the ground, she was fearful of the future. However, Cloud beside her chose to smile gently. It was a smile that she hadn’t seen before during their journey. Cloud noticed her gaze and asked, “What’s wrong?”-Case of Tifa
“Cloud, you’re smiling.”
“I am?”
“Yeah.”
“It all starts now. A new…”
Cloud looked for the right words.
“A new life.”
“I’m going to live. I think that’s the only way I can be forgiven. All sorts of things… happened.”
“That’s right…”
“But when I think about how many times I’ve thought about how I was going to start a new life, it’s funny.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve always failed everything.”
“That’s not funny.”
“After this … I think I’ll be okay.”
Cloud was silent for a long time before he spoke again.
“Because I have you this time.”
“You’ve always had me.”
“What I mean is kind of different,” Cloud answered with another smile.
- Cloud is raising a family with Tifa
Now running a delivery business while helping out Tifa with the newly opened “Seventh Heaven” bar, Cloud, Tifa, Marlene and Denzel lived together like a family. However, when Cloud contracts Geostigma he disappears. Behind these actions lies feelings of guilt towards his past failure to protect people who were important to him, but through his battle with Kadaj’s gang, the legacy of Jenova, he regains the courage to face reality.
FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania Cloud Strife Profile p36-41
“Good for you. Whole world’s clappin’ you on the back. So Cloud’s with Tifa?”
“Yeah. Tifa opened a bar, just like the old days. Cloud was helpin’ out, but it sounds like he’s got his own business keepin’ him tied up now. A delivery service.”
“Cloud? Run a business?”
“You can bet it’s Tifa kickin’ his ass into shape.”
”I see. In the end, it’s the women wear the pants.” -Case of Barret
I want to see Cloud — Marlene’s honest words, which reflected what Tifa felt in her own heart, caused her to smile. The present Tifa isn’t just Cloud’s childhood friend, but also the mother of the ‘family’ they were forming in Edge.
FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania Tifa Lockhart Character Profile p 42-47
- Cloud is happy with Tifa and the kids
The more Cloud is tormented by painful “memories” of the past. FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania Cloud Strife Profile p36-41
I don’t think I’m fit to save anyone. Not family, not friends … no one. 」
The more he realizes how happy he is living with Tifa and the children,the more the fear of losing that and regrets toward the past trouble Cloud…
FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania Cloud Strife Profile p36-41
Nomura in Distance: “The happier Cloud is, the more lonely he becomes.”
- Cloud finds peace with Tifa and his family with her
- Tifa believes in Cloud, knows him all too well and supports him.
Even though being burdened with painful “memories” is the same for everyone － Unable to do much for Cloud who is always dragging around his regrets for the past, she subconsciously raises her voice.
Tifa, watching over Cloud warmly as he regains the strength to move forward. Having been together with him since they were young, she is able to believe in his recovery for certain.
FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania Tifa Lockhart Character Profile p 42-47
- Tifa is someone’s koibito (romantic sweetheart/girlfriend)
“There are many dimensions to Tifa’s character. She’s like a mother, a sweetheart [koibito], and a close ally in battle“:
Advent Children Reunion Files book (pg. 19)~ Nomura
- Tifa is the only one Cloud has opened his heart to
Tifa, who from 2 years ago has been the only one Cloud opened his heart to. Now he has closed off his heart even from her. ~AC Prologue Book
- Tifa is an important woman to Cloud who helped him gain the strength to move forward
With the support of former allies and Tifa, an important woman to him and now also part of his family, Cloud regains the courage to move forward. - Cloud Strife Profile FFVII10th AU
- Cloud’s Promised Land is the place where Tifa, the kids and all the people he loves surround him
The place where he awakens—-
That is Cloud’s Promised Land
As he sleeps, Cloud hears two voices. The voices of two people very dear to him, who are no longer with him. Playfully and kindly, they give him a message: he doesn’t belong here yet.
When he awakes, there was his friends. There were the children, freed from their fatal illness. Tifa and Marlene, and Denzel asking for Cloud to heal his Geostigma— his family were waiting. Engulfed in celebration, he realizes where he is meant to live. He realizes that he was able to forgive himself.
And when he turns around—- “she” is starting to leave. Together with the friend who had given Cloud his life. Cloud no longer has to suffer in loneliness… And so they too go back to where they belong.
- Cloud and Tifa belong together
Inside, I felt one thing was for sure: Cloud and Tifa would be together.Everybody would be back home where they belonged. - Two
years is too short to forget the past completely, but it’s still a
pretty long time… And two years older was a good age for Marlene to
start talking a little.” -Nojima
- Tifa was there whenever Cloud needed her
In the past you’ve always looked after me, you [Marlene,] Denzel and Tifa. You were there whenever I needed you. Now it’s my turn
.- Cloud in ACC
- Tifa is Cloud’s light in Kingdom Hearts, when Sephiroth is his darkness
*note: the ambiguity is whether Tifa is human or not
I'll leave you with a few sweet pictures of Cloud and Tifa, I'm sure many CloTi fans will scream if they see this lol
